Title: Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian method investigation on fuel tank strap simulation under proving ground condition

Authors: Guangtian Song; Chin-An Tan

Addresses: Global Chassis Engineering, Ford Motor Company, 20100 Rotunda Drive, Dearborn, MI 48124, USA ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Wayne State University, 5050 Anthony Wayne Drive, Detroit, MI 48202, USA

Abstract: The arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) is a hybrid finite element formulation, which is developed through combining modern algorithms for Lagrangian hydrodynamics, meshing technology and remap methods developed for high-resolution Eulerian methods. In automotive, simulation of dynamic stress and fatigue life of fuel tank straps is a complex problem. Typically, a fuel tank is held with fuel tank straps. Being a complex problem with overall movement lying in the domain of nonlinear large rotation dynamics, the involved fuel sloshing behaviour causes more intrication. The objective is initiated to investigate the advantage of ALE method in simulating fuel sloshing through fuel tank and fuel tank strap movement under proving ground conditions, using the nonlinear large rotation dynamic method in RADIOSS. Afterward, the fatigue life of fuel tank straps is predicted through nCode DesignLife, resulting in good correlation with test by accurate prediction of the crack initiation locations and sequence in the fuel tank straps.

Keywords: ALE; arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian; fuel tank; fuel tank strap; fuel sloshing; proving ground; road load; signal processing; nonlinear dynamic; large rotation; direct transient response; explicit time integration; plastic strain; crack; strain life fatigue.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVP.2019.100703

International Journal of Vehicle Performance, 2019 Vol.5 No.3, pp.260 - 285

Received: 23 May 2017
Accepted: 25 Oct 2017

Published online: 07 Jul 2019 *

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